BMTCP EMT Chapter 4

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scope of practice

a set of regulations and ethical considerations that define the scope, or extent and limits, of the EMTs job.

standard of care

for an EMT providing care for a specific patient in a specific situation, the care that would be expected to be provided by an EMT with similar training when caring for a patient in a similar situation

consent

permission from the patient for care or other action by the EMT

expressed consent

consent given by adults who are of legal age and mentally competent to make a rational decision in regard to their medical well-being

implied consent

the consent it is presumed a patient or patient's paerent or guardian would give if they could, such as for an unconscious patient or a parent who cannot be contacted when care is needed.

in loco parentis

in place of the parents, indicating a person who may give consent for care of a child when the parents are not present or able to give consent.

liability

being held legally responsible

assault

placing a person in fear orf bodily harm

battery

causing bodily harm to or restraining a person

DNR

a legal document, usually signed by the patient and his physician, which states that the patient has a terminal illness and does not wish to prolong life through resuscitative efforts.

advance directive

a DNR order; instructions written in advance of an event.

negligence

a finding of failure to act properly in a situation in which there was a duty to act, that needed care as would reasonably be expected of the EMT was not provided, and that harm was caused to the patient as a result.

tort

a civil, not a criminal, offense; an action or injury caused by negligence from which a lawsuit may arise

res ipsa loquitur

a latin term meaning :the thing speaks for itself

duty to act

an obligation to provide care to a patient

abandonment

leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone with equal or greater medical trianing

moral

regarding personal standards or principles of right and wrong

ethical

regarding a social system or social or professional expectations for applying principles of right and wrong

good samaritan laws

a series of laws, varying in each state, designed to provide limited legal protection for citizens and some health care personnel when they are administering emergency care.

confidentiality

the obligation not to reveal information obtained about a patient except to other health care professionals involved in the patient's care, or under subpoena, or in a court of law, or when the patient has signed a release of confidentiality.

HIPAA

the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law protecting the privacy of patient-specific health care information and providing the patient with control over how this information is used and distributed.

libel

false or injurious information in written form

slander

false or injurious information stated verbally

organ donor

a person who has completed a legal document that allows for donation of organs and tissues in the event of death

safe haven law

a law that permits a person to drop off an infant or child at a police, fire, or EMS station or to deliver the infant or child to any available public safety personnel. The intent of the law isto protect children who may otherwise be abandoned or harmed.

crime scene

the location where a crime has been committed or any place that evidence relating to a crime may be found

Conditions that must be fulfilled for patient to refuse care or transport

patient must be legally able to consent, patient must be mentally competent and oriented, patient must be fully informed, patient will be asked to sign a "release" form.

steps to take to persuade patient to get care

spend trime speaking with the patient, inform the patient of the consequences of not going to the hospital, consult medical direction, call a family member, call law enforcement personnel if necessary, listen carefully to try to determine why the patient is refusing care.

proxy

person whom the signer of the document names to make health care decisions in case he is unable to make such decisions for himself.

proximate causation

concept that the damages to the patient were the result of action or inaction of the EMT.

circumstances that must be proven to find negligence

EMT had a duty to the patient, did not provide the standard of care, failure to act, proximate causation